Housing Managers

One of the trickiest environmental challenges for housing managers is pest management - finding the best way to control unwanted invaders while minimizing the use of potentially toxic pesticides. Pests such as cockroaches, mice, rats and bed bugs, can be particularly troublesome in multi-family housing. More than half of the residents in public housing and properties receiving housing subsidies under (often referred to as Section 8) surveyed in 2004 reported having problems with rodents and insects indoors. 17% had problems most or all of the time. A study by Purdue University funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development found that 71% of a public housing development had an active infestation. Yet only 22% of the residents with an infestation reported the problem. Living with pests should not be the norm for anyone -- whether one lives in a single family home or multifamily housing.

Integrated pest management is a different approach than traditional pest control. It emphasizes eliminating nesting places as well as sources of food and water for pests. It excludes pests from the home. Studies have proven that IPM is the most effective way to control pests in the home. Effective IPM programs in multi-family housing requires a team effort involving residents, maintenance and custodial staff, pest management professionals, and the housing manager. This Web site contains information housing managers can use to implement IPM programs.

Resource information for owners, managers, and staffs of multi-family housing.